Site Event/Activity record ECH6124 - Land at Elworth Hall Farm, Dean Close, Sandbach, Cheshire (12/2426C): Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief

Nexus Heritage carried out an archaeological watching brief on land at Elworth Hall Farm, Dean Close, Sandbach, during groundworks undertaken for a residential estate. These groundworks comprised large-scale earth moving by tracked excavator, but despite these limitations, meaningful archaeological data was recovered. The principal aim of the watching brief was to identify archaeological remains associated with Elworth Hall. Amongst the features investigated and recorded was a complex of wall stubs of brick and stone, internal and external hardstanding floor surfaces, a cellar and a subterranean brick-built drum adjacent to the northern side of the hall, it is thought that this may have served as a septic tank. The eastern and western wall lines recorded on historic OS mapping correlate well with the mapped extents of the external walls and exterior areas. These features relate to the final incarnation of the hall in the second half of the 20th century. Few artefacts were recovered; a sample of bricks and pavers were recorded. The bricks from the foundation walls of the hall were commonly a smooth, red-orange in appearance, characteristic of 18th century hand-made bricks in Cheshire. Their form correlates with the fact that the hall was in existance by 1777. The brick built drum, from the form of the bricks, appears to be of 19th or early 20th century date. Ceramic pavers stamped with the word 'VITROS' were recorded; these were manugactured by the North Staffordshire Brick & Tile Co. Ltd. Which traded from the mid 1800s through to the 1970s. Also another type of floor tile was recorded which were stamped with 'PLATTS', this company which still operates, was established in Tunstall in 1822. Only two fragments of ceramic vessel were recovered both dating to the 18th-19th centuries. Non of the items were deemed worthy of retention. (1)